Are they really supposed to be 80+lbs? For some reason the shelter is getting in a lot of massive labs, an almost 100lb female just recently got adopted. A lot of them seem to be built like Rotties.
Ezio
How much are Labs supposed to weigh?
I think akc says like 55-80?
Nug is about 24.5 inches at withers and only weighs 63. At his heaviest (not obese just larger) he was 76.
His female littermate is tiny, maybe 45? They CAN get much bigger but I think at ideal weight and within breed standard height they really don't get much bigger than 80 depending on bone structure
Nug is about 24.5 inches at withers and only weighs 63. At his heaviest (not obese just larger) he was 76.
His female littermate is tiny, maybe 45? They CAN get much bigger but I think at ideal weight and within breed standard height they really don't get much bigger than 80 depending on bone structure
The 100lb female, Marilyn, is really chunky.
Not the best pic, you can't see her turtle tail.
![Image]()
I really like the personality/temperment of older (4+) labs, but all the one's I'm seeing are HUGE. Some are just fat, but others are solid muscle. Most likely a BYB around here somewhere.
Not the best pic, you can't see her turtle tail.
I really like the personality/temperment of older (4+) labs, but all the one's I'm seeing are HUGE. Some are just fat, but others are solid muscle. Most likely a BYB around here somewhere.
In America, everything gets super sized - even our dogs. I know of standard poodles in the 80-100lb range; they should be more like 40-60.
The AKC standard says approximate weight of dogs should be 65 to 80 lb and bitches 55 to 70 lb, though I'm sure some dogs have been titled that are heavier. The British standard doesn't specify weight.
How long is a piece of string?
Labs are not supposed to have rolls of fat, though some judges seem to like them on the plump side. Some people like their hunting dogs on the large side and you can find 100 lb + dogs that are not fat.
How long is a piece of string?
Labs are not supposed to have rolls of fat, though some judges seem to like them on the plump side. Some people like their hunting dogs on the large side and you can find 100 lb + dogs that are not fat.
I've seen some really thick-boned labs, not fat but a lot of muscle with really big heads. While others are petite and more dainty.
The thing right now seems to be breeding for size. In small breeds that means "tea cup" dogs, see how super tiny you can get them. In larger breeds that means "King Size" or whatever name they want to make up for it. Huskies as big as malamutes, people won't believe a 36lb dog is a Siberian Husky because Huskies are "big dogs" whatever that means. I keep seeing people posing about 120lb Dobermans. Pit bulls should apparently be at least 100lbs, better if they are more like 160. So a 100lb lab isn't surprising.
Pictures are weird. All 3 of these were taken this week- the first one on Monday? And then the last two tonight. Within ten minutes of eachother.
If I didn't know I would say the "dog" in the middle picture was 20 lbs heavier than the one in the first. And they're the same dog only a few days apart
I have a very broad chested lab who looks like she may have cane coral in her. She's about 23"(I think) and 75-80lbs and at 75lbs she has a slight tummy tuck up. She should be about 65-70lbs.
But most people think she's at a super healthy weight when she's at 80lbs. I also have people who think my jack Russell poodle mix must be starved because she is at a healthy weight with a nice tuck up.
But most people think she's at a super healthy weight when she's at 80lbs. I also have people who think my jack Russell poodle mix must be starved because she is at a healthy weight with a nice tuck up.
Why are Labs so prone to obesity? Labs seem to be the only dog the shelter has problems keeping weight "off". All adult PB Labs have come in obese for some reason.
Labradors are not prone to obesity..... Owners (of all breeds) are prone to over feeding dogs...
I just saw a lab today in the park near my house. I was driving past but it looked like it wasn't much shorter than Clyde...and it was stockier. Clyde weighs 110 lbs lean.
Most labs, and many dogs in generally, act hungry even after feeding. My lab will eat and then immediately try to find more food or beg someone into giving her a treat. It took a long time to convince family to stop over feeding my lab. Most people think the dog must be starving and continue giving more food than is needed and the dog ends up very overweight or obese.
I had a friend with a registered lab who ran about 135-pounds and was in fabulous shape. I can't vouch for the quality of the breeder.
My own big lab was about 115 pounds in his prime, but he may have been a mix.
My own big lab was about 115 pounds in his prime, but he may have been a mix.
Labs, like beagles, will eat whatever you give them and beg for more.
Owners who cannot resist should not have labs.
Owners who cannot resist should not have labs.
Dogs in general are scavengers - which is why they constantly seek out food even after being fed.
There have been instances at family bbq's and the like, where Toby will be over fed - I'll give him dinner and I do tell people NOT to feed him because of his allergies. Some people will ignore my insistence that he's fine and will share their burger, or give him a freshly grilled hot dog, and then some crackers, and some cheese, and then maybe he finishes the last bite of their burger and maybe he gets a rib bone... etc etc..
At the end of it all, my dog is ready to explode, but if anybody were to offer - he'd still be the first pup in line at the table for scraps.
My dog will literally eat until he vomits, and then eat his vomit and continue begging. That is what dogs do, because they are scavengers.
For that reason, all dogs are prone to getting fat if their owners aren't careful. That said - that doesn't mean all dogs will burn the fat equally once their owners realize their mistake and try to resolve their dogs weight problem.
I think that because labs are derived from a breed whose previously stated purpose involved cold-water swimming, they will have a harder time burning the fat they put on BECAUSE the insulation was necessary for their 'job'. So that's likely why they seem to pack on weight and hold it.
There have been instances at family bbq's and the like, where Toby will be over fed - I'll give him dinner and I do tell people NOT to feed him because of his allergies. Some people will ignore my insistence that he's fine and will share their burger, or give him a freshly grilled hot dog, and then some crackers, and some cheese, and then maybe he finishes the last bite of their burger and maybe he gets a rib bone... etc etc..
At the end of it all, my dog is ready to explode, but if anybody were to offer - he'd still be the first pup in line at the table for scraps.
My dog will literally eat until he vomits, and then eat his vomit and continue begging. That is what dogs do, because they are scavengers.
For that reason, all dogs are prone to getting fat if their owners aren't careful. That said - that doesn't mean all dogs will burn the fat equally once their owners realize their mistake and try to resolve their dogs weight problem.
I think that because labs are derived from a breed whose previously stated purpose involved cold-water swimming, they will have a harder time burning the fat they put on BECAUSE the insulation was necessary for their 'job'. So that's likely why they seem to pack on weight and hold it.
As for appetite, I have always heard that Labs have voracious appetites, and Kayla would be more than willing to prove that to be true given half a chance, so we won't; she is a bottomless pit...er, lab, and would literally be barreling around here if ever free fed (unmeasured).
I'll admit that my gal is a bit loady right now at 60-pounds (Winter weight). While she hasn't lost her tuck we will be Springing around for a more defined 'waist', as seen from above, and to feel her ribs more easily.
I'll admit that my gal is a bit loady right now at 60-pounds (Winter weight). While she hasn't lost her tuck we will be Springing around for a more defined 'waist', as seen from above, and to feel her ribs more easily.
You remember that 100lb lab mix I mentioned?
Well the lady came to adopt her on Sunday. When they where filling out the paperwork the adoption coordinator asked her if she had a fenced in yard , the lady said no. The coordinator asked her how she planned to exercise the dog, she told her she'd open the door and let the dog run.:frusty: Said dog had been found as a stray. She was automatically told she couldn't adopt the dog, lady left in a huff.
Well the lady came to adopt her on Sunday. When they where filling out the paperwork the adoption coordinator asked her if she had a fenced in yard , the lady said no. The coordinator asked her how she planned to exercise the dog, she told her she'd open the door and let the dog run.:frusty: Said dog had been found as a stray. She was automatically told she couldn't adopt the dog, lady left in a huff.
Ugh, some people.
I never thought I liked labs. I had only met grossly overweight, lumbering, drooling messes. When I met my first healthy, active lab I had that "ah ha, this is why people love them" moment. I've met several 50 or 60 pound healthy labs, they're fantastic!
And after seeing how active a healthy lab can be I feel so horrible for the overweight ones. I always have that sneaking suspicion that some people keep them fat because they can't handle the activity level of a healthy one. We have several at our dog park that are owned by elderly couples. They're 30 lbs overweight (no exaggeration) and can barely make two laps around before everyone is ready to go home.
I never thought I liked labs. I had only met grossly overweight, lumbering, drooling messes. When I met my first healthy, active lab I had that "ah ha, this is why people love them" moment. I've met several 50 or 60 pound healthy labs, they're fantastic!
And after seeing how active a healthy lab can be I feel so horrible for the overweight ones. I always have that sneaking suspicion that some people keep them fat because they can't handle the activity level of a healthy one. We have several at our dog park that are owned by elderly couples. They're 30 lbs overweight (no exaggeration) and can barely make two laps around before everyone is ready to go home.
Interesting. Around here, I've only seen a few overweight labs or beagles - two breeds that lots of people say are nearly always fat.
I do think a lot of people, including some dog owners, don't really know what a healthy weight looks like. My wife thinks that Molly must be anorexic because she's lean and muscular.
I do think a lot of people, including some dog owners, don't really know what a healthy weight looks like. My wife thinks that Molly must be anorexic because she's lean and muscular.
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